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Monday, August 15, 2011

Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent Review & GIVEAWAY

Source: ARC from author in exchange for a fair and honest review

Please note that this book is Adult Fiction, not YA.

My Summary:

Olivia Warren prefers you don’t know her full name. She goes by Liv because names are powerful. Someone can track you with your full name. Someone can track you with a sample of your blood. That’s what Liv does but she works independently of the two syndicates in town, at least she tries to. Then she is forced by a childhood oath to discover the plot against an old friend’s family and to work with her former boyfriend. Can she resist the love she still has for Cam to fulfill the demands of a blood binding that she didn’t understand when she made it? What’s Cam’s motivation? He doesn’t have a binding to help? Is there anyone that can act of their own free will or anyone who can be trusted? Not so much.

My Thoughts:

5 stars – a must read (Adults only)

Honestly, I don’t read adult fiction. The language is usually enough to have me closing the book. But I love Rachel Vincent’s YA books, so I decided to give this one a try. Certainly, this book is adult fiction. It has adult language and sexual content. It also has a very compelling paranormal story that drew me in immediately. The world Rachel creates is fascinating. A percentage of the population has skills that allow them to control different paranormal elements. Liv is a tracker, specifically a blood tracker. With a sample of someone’s blood, the fresher the better, she can find them anywhere. Other skills include binders, who can bind a contract so that if you try and not fulfill it you have pain that will eventually kill you if you don’t complete the agreement. This is a unique world that I haven’t seen in other books. Those that have these skills are in high demand to one of the two local syndicates. The problem with signing up is that you may be forced to hurt those you love and have no choice but to do it. And of course the syndicates don’t take no for an answer when they ask you to sign up. You wear you loyalty on your arm in the form of a tattoo. It’s a very unique and compelling world that has the potential of many great stories.

The characters in this book are incredible. Four childhood friends and Cam make up the main group, though we don’t actually meet them all. Liv is a strong female lead who tries to protect those she loves in a very real and painful way. She hides behind a tough exterior but is deeply affected by the suffering around her. Cam is a strong man who knows what he wants and he wants Liv. The lengths to which he is willing to go to get her back are impressive. He is a man in love but he isn’t emotional or weak. Cam will chew you up and spit you out if you get in his way, don’t mess with him. I became very attached to both of them.

The plot is action packed and full of unexpected twists and turns. I spent a lot of time trying to anticipate the story but even the small things I figured out turned into complete shocks. This story is intricately woven into a heart pounding roller coaster ride that you just have to experience.